For Switzerland’s footballers, Tuesday’s in Atlanta offers the chance to achieve an objective laid down by their coach, Murat Yakin, before a ball was kicked in North America.
“The best World Cup in the history of the Nati” was the target and a first quarter-final spot since the 1954 finals on home soil would statistically be just that. After all, to reach the last eight in 1934 and 1938, the Swiss had to win a single Round of 16 tie. In 1954, they had to get out of their group. This time, they would need to win two knockout matches on top of negotiating the group stage.
The road is long yet Switzerland have a spring in their collective step after a run of three straight victories at the – against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada and Algeria, with the bringing their first clean sheet of the tournament.
It has been a long road in different ways. The composure Switzerland have displayed has been hard-earned – and there was no harsher lesson than the 6-1 drubbing suffered against Portugal at this same last-16 stage at Qatar 2022. “We’ve learned valuable lessons and have progressed not only on a sporting level but mentally too,” said Yakin. Now, with greater tactical and psychological maturity, they are a team here “not merely to make up the numbers”, as the 51-year-old has attested.
Yakin has spoken about the challenge ahead against Colombia, a team who, in his eyes, embody “the Latin-American style of football". He elaborated: "They're very solid, they play a very fast, vertical game and they rely on strong individual talents.” The basic plan seems clear enough: Switzerland will need to stay compact when losing the ball and meet the physical challenge by standing up in their individual duels. At the same time, Yakin wants his players to play their game – and Yakin’s men have shown they have the ability to adapt, as displayed against Algeria when they responded well to some difficulties in the opening minutes.
In Yakin’s plans, Johan Manzambi occupies a central role. One of , the 20-year-old has gone from possible ace in the pack to nailed-on starter. “He’s a special player," affirmed Yakin. "He has an impeccable attitude, he’s humble and he's a hard worker."
With his surge into the box and cross for Breel Embolo’s opening goal against Algeria, the Switzerland No9 claimed his second assist of these finals, to go with the three goals he has scored. And the Freiburg attacker continues to catch the eye for his all-round excellence. Yakin has said his efforts in training mean the youngster, who came off the bench for the first two group fixtures, were enough in themselves to make him "a contender to start every match".
Alongside the more established Embolo, and Ruben Vargas, Manzambi completes a strong attacking quartet. Yakin has lauded the defensive application and collective mindset of these forwards who, while showing their menace in the final third, are quick to drop back and support their defenders when the opposition counter.
Another reason then for the optimism that this really can be the year Switzerland fulfil their coach's aim and achieve their "best World Cup" performance yet.
Sources: FIFA Official
